Match Report: Tigers Triumph In The Mud

John Utley has been reporting for the Yorkshire Times, part of the p.ublished group of online newspapers, on his local club, Wharfedale RUFC.

After an early Saturday morning pitch inspection at Dore Moor the match between Sheffield Tigers and Wharfedale was deemed fit for play.

Wharfedale kicked off up the slope and had the better of the early exchanges but failed to convert possession into points.

Both teams missed early penalty opportunities but in the 21 minute Robbie Davidson landed the first points of the day from a resulting penalty making the score 0 -3.

Sheffield Tigers were adapting to the wet conditions much better than Wharfedale and that pressure told when Oliver Riddiough was harshly yellow carded for a high tackle and George Hedley yellow carded for a technical foul during a rolling maul.

Now down to 13 men Wharfedale were put under extreme pressure and in the 37 minute William Baker went over in the far right corner for a try but the conversion was missed, making the score 5 -3.

Almost from the kick off, a loose kick found its way to William Baker who from well inside his own half found gaps in the depleted Wharfedale defense to run a good line and score again in the right hand corner, the conversion was missed making the score at half time 10 – 3.

The second half started brightly for Wharfedale and a converted penalty by Robbie Davidson brought the score to 10-6, game on.

Just as one thought the tide might be turning, some indiscipline again by Wharfedale resulting in a penalty try and yellow card for Ben Markey, score 17-6.

In the 72 minute a knock on from Wharfedale resulted in a scrum in which Sheffield Tigers drove the opposition backwards for a penalty which Willian Baker converted making the score 20 -6

The introduction of the fresh legs from the bench was making an impact for Wharfedale and In the 78 minute Sam Dickinson crashed over for a try which Robbie Davidson converted, score 20 -13

Now with their tails up, Wharfedale stormed back and scored another try by Rhys Green, bring the score to 20 -18 with the conversion being the last kick of the match. Unfortunately the conversion was narrowly missed giving Sheffield Tigers a deserved victory.

In summary, Sheffield Tigers adapted to the conditions much better but indiscipline cost Wharfedale the game. Many supporters of Wharfedale find it hard to understand how such a disciplined performance against Leeds Tykes last week can result in three yellow cards a week later